Lessons in Bad Parenting #247

We all strive to be the best parents we can be. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes in these failures, we must step back and laugh. Because heaven knows, God is.

Lesson #247 - When repeatedly asking your child and your dog to mind you and neither could give a flip. Calmly find video-recording phone, press play and record blackmail for later when your child actually might care that what he is doing is GROSS!!!

Please come back often for more enlightening lessons in bad parenting, I can assure you there is bound to be at least one more...

The Big Dig

Today, I had a meet-up with resident archaeologist, Tex O'Brien. He was in the area for the big dig at the historic Ft. O'Brien, which happens to be right out my back door. I did not want to miss this opportunity to see the legend in his element.

 He welcomed the crowd, and told us a little bit about how he goes about his explorations. Tex said a good pair of cargo pants is a must, as well as a trusty shovel and spatula. "I can't tell you enough how often a good spatula can get you out of a pretty nasty scrape," said Tex O'Brien.

 "You just feel it in your bones when you're onto something. Like today, I just knew I had to get out here and get a feel for the earth. In my second trip out today, I've already found a red rocket and a green fish! Do you know what this means in my field?"

Clearly, Tex was excited about what he had uncovered today at the dig site. I can't wait to see what he learns from these artifacts!

 Above, Tex O'Brien points out one of the dig spots that's yielded quite a bit of artifacts in this last outing. Tex was also quite willing to get his feet dirty. He said something about feeling the sand between his toes...or maybe that was me wishing for a beach vacation.

Tex also had his assistant, Ryker vonStryker out on the dig too. Tex likes to say Ryker works like an animal, whatever that's about...

Here Tex O'Brien said something about the way the building was constructed as well, but it was way over my head. I tell you, this guy is amazing!

It was an exciting day for sure. Tex said the site looked promising for more treasure, but he and vonStryker had a call from Mr. & Mrs. Cole to rescue a baby llama in Peru. Man, the life this guy leads...they should make a movie based on this guy - a handsome archaeologist with a goofy side kick off to save the world one adventure at a time. I bet it would make a killing! 

Tex O'Brien, safe travels and we look forward to your next adventure!

A Christmas Oddity

Saw this on a fellow blogger's post today and I don't even know what to do with this!

Do I need to buy this? Is this just too much too, to weird? Is a Santa Yoda sacrilegious to Jesus and Santa? Help me know where to place this oddity!

The Day the Earth Stood Still

It started out so simple. An ordinary action. An ordinary action that soon began spiraling into chaos and tears.

A sync. An update. An iPhone.

Easy.

Then despair struck. Something went wrong. Something decided to attempt to kill my poor phone and rob me of the precious memories of my little family and friends. EVIL!!!

I panicked. I began searching Google. Nothing could point me to another way than the dreaded "Restore." Restore -- to return to factory settings, meanwhile deleting all media, pictures and video. Noooo!

I called my brother-in-law, Jamie, on Google Chat. He'd know what to do right?? I told him all I knew and all I saw. He sounded doubtful, but he emailed his tech guru, Zach. Zach emailed quickly with the dreaded answer, the only thing to do was "Restore."

Depression set in. I'd have to do it. I'd lose all my cute Owie videos. My happy memories on the fly. Gone! GONE!

I sucked it up. Put on my big girl pants, and clicked the "Are you Sure" button.

Several minutes later, my phone returned. But wait, it returned with everything on it!

Just another small miracle helping us remember there is a God!

So, what have we learned. BACK UP! BACK UP! BACK UP!! And pray. And that apple, along with every other electronics maker can suck too!

To Brush, or Not to Brush

...that is the question.

How bad is it that I can't brush my teeth during the day if I want to go somewhere. The minute Ryker sees me putting tooth paste on the tooth brush, he is gone. Under a bed, in a closet...somewhere cowering in fear from the impending doom of being put outside. So, invariably if I try to brush my teeth, it will take me an extra 10 minutes to get out the door after I wrangle the pupster.

So, should I just start brushing all the time throughout the day to desensitize him? Should I keep brush-ups in the car? Should I just carry around a tranq gun?

Oh Lordy! It's always something with this guy. What a nut.

And, yes, NoNoBadDog hadn't shown up in a long time, till Owen and I had to go somewhere the day Joe left on his last business trip. That's when NoNoBadDog decided to bite through the MIDDLE of a SINGLE board and wriggle out somehow. SERIOUSLY?? How do you do this? I was going to take a pic, but didn't have a chance before Bro-in-law fixed it for me.

When I was Little

When I was little, I had an escape plan in case the bad men came.

I had a giant window right over my bed, you see. And I had a fear that bad men might come in, never mind my sister had the same giant window and she was the first room in the house.

So my plan was to hide under my bed right next to the window wall and wait for them to leave, then I would crawl out, jump out the window and run to my neighbors' house.

Weird, I know. But these are the things you worry about when you're a little kid.

When I was Little

thiWhen I was little, I LOVED to read (I still do). I hated to put down my book if I was really into it.

I would read in our tree. I would read under my bed. I would read in my bath tub.

One day I decided to read on my bike.

I was going over to visit a friend, and I thought, oh yeah, I can totally do this. So I started reading while riding my bike. I used to be super cool and could ride without using my hands. All was going good until it wasn't.

I ran into a parked van. Yep. I did. I'm pretty sure I even left a dent in the bumper.

So, what did I do? I looked around, didn't see anyone, and pedaled away as fast as I could!

From this I learned, I cannot read and ride! Wow, is this like a medieval form of texting and driving? Hmmm...well, good thing I don't do that!

And, for whoever's van that was all those years ago, sorry about that! =D

When I was Little

When I was little, I said I would ALWAYS wear shorts when I got older.

I never understood why grown-ups wore shorts when it was hot outside. Now I do. At least I understand why women don't wear shorts all the time. I think it has something to do with the burden of frequent shaving.

It all becomes clear, or should I say, fuzzy.

Fun with the Flip

Took this video the other day with our new Flip camera.

It is currently titled, Brotherly Love. But, perhaps, another title could be Why They Say Living with Dogs Boosts Your Kids' Immune System.

Enjoy...more to come I'm sure!

Totally Wrong, but Interesting!

So, I was talking to my dog the other day, (yes, there is NOTHING wrong with this) and I realized something.

My dog, my wonderful red-fluffy-bunny of a crazy mutt, Ryker the WonderDog, NoNoBadDog, is smarter than my child.

Yep. I said it.

But really, he knows his name.

He can roll over by himself.

He can hold his head up.

He can go to the potty by himself.

He has a vocabulary.

Think about it:

Sit

Stay

No

Wait

Outside

Water

Go for a: ride, walk, get the mail, etc.

He's a genius.

Little dude??? Well, all I can say is we're working on amending this post soon! =)

News Flash

!!!News Flash of Epic Proportions!!!

It has been over 3 weeks since I have had cheese enchiladas!

I repeat:

It has been over THREE WEEKS since I have had cheese enchiladas.

Combined with a lovely hospital stay, lack of appetite for a while, wonderful meals provided by friends, and well, a hardship in getting out, I have NOT filled my enchilada tank in quite a while.

Tonight we are planning to have homemade chicken enchiladas at Aunt Jenni and Uncle Jamie's house tonight with the O'Bear in tow (his first adventure). They're pretty good and cheesy, but not the same. We'll remedy this injustice very soon I know. But for those of you that know me, this is a big deal!

See how I sacrifice for my child already? Sheesh! Mother of the Year over here!

Leanna vs. Dyson

Man, oh, man! Was it ever a smack-down in this house today.

I've been putting it off for a while (since some fuzzy creatures never seem to get the hint!), but sweeping was not doing the trick any more. I needed to vacuum!

So I got out the ol' boy and went to town in the carpeted area. Not too much trouble, a little work at 38.5 weeks prego, but doable!

BUT OH, DEAR LORD! Who could have imagined the power struggle that lurked in the living room! I use the hose a lot in this room, just because it's easier to attack the dust bunnies. However, today, it was just not meant to be.

It caught up my dress multiple times.

It sucked up a pencil.

It sucked up shoe laces.

It sucked up the computer's cord wrap, and started sucking the cord itself.

It sucked up pieces of paper, that wound up getting stuck.

ARG!!!

I then had to dump it out.

It decided to dump all over the floor in three different piles.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

I couldn't get the hose back down because the pencil was stuck. So, I had to turn the whole thing up and over and shimmy the pencil down and out.

SERIOUSLY!

Needless to say, I got most of my vacuuming done. Was it worth all the trouble? That, I'm not sure!

So, next time you vacuum, be careful. Mr. Dyson or Mr. Hoover or whoever just might have an attitude that day! You've been warned!

The Most Interesting Pup in the World - 2

He bypassed the teenager stage, because he was never awkward, nor gangly. Just straight from adorable puppy to ruggedly handsome pupster. (or so he claims)

Rear Gear...

So I came across this today. I showed it to Ryker. He said he would eat me if I bought it for him.

Thankfully, he has the most awesome tail in the world and butt tufts that look like pantaloons, so he doesn't need these.

But (ha!), if your dog/cat does, here's the product for you!

Rear Gear!

Description

Is your pet feeling left in the dirt because of his/her unsightly rear? I’ve got them covered... Rear Gear is handmade in Portland, OR and offers a cheerful solution to be-rid your favorite pet’s un-manicured back side. Rear Gear comes in many designs including a disco ball, air freshener, heart, flower, biohazard, smiley face, number one ribbon, cupcake, sheriff's badge, dice, and you can even make yours custom, so there’s a Rear Gear for everyone.

So, if you find yourself in need, check out this cute girl's site at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RearGear

The Most Interesting Pup in the World...

He doesn't just tie a cherry stem into a knot. He creates origami crane masterpieces.

He is the most interesting pup in the world.

Road Crossing Anxiety

Let's face it. I am a bit of a jay walker. I think designated crossings are for sissies.

But after seeing this article, about some Canadian 'deer,' I may be mending my ways. I WILL be looking at ALL angles before stepping out in fear of coming face to face with one of these mutant cousins of Bambi!
And that's all I have to say about that! You've been warned.

Go Baylor!

Man, this made our evening. I just laugh and laugh and laugh. (Please don't think bad of us, but it really is funny!)



Sic'em!